Ablation-transfer-imaging using zero order laser beams in a flat-field scanner

(19)

(11)

EP 0 708 550 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	14.01.1998 Bulletin 1998/03

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	24.04.1996 Bulletin 1996/17

(21)	Application number: 95115868.2

(22)	Date of filing: 09.10.1995

(51)	International Patent Classification (IPC)⁶: H04N 1/40, B41J 2/475

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	DE FR GB IT

(30)

Priority:

18.10.1994 US 324728

(71)	Applicant: MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY
	St. Paul, Minnesota 55133-3427 (US)

(72)	Inventor:
	Bills, Richard E., c/o Minnesota Mining and Saint Paul, Minnesota 55133-3427 (US)

(74)	Representative: Hilleringmann, Jochen, Dipl.-Ing. et al
	Patentanwälte von Kreisler-Selting-Werner, Bahnhofsvorplatz 1 (Deichmannhaus) D-50667 Köln D-50667 Köln (DE)

(54)	Ablation-transfer-imaging using zero order laser beams in a flat-field scanner

(57) The present invention provides an apparatus for ablation-transfer imaging of ablatable medium. The apparatus comprises a continuous-wave solid state laser for emitting a continuous laser beam, a modulator for attenuating the intensity of the laser beam passing undiffracted through the modulator so that an undiffracted (zero order) beam is continuously emitted from the modulator, and a scanner. The undiffracted beam is attenuated in intensity when the modulator is in a first mode of operation and the undiffracted beam is unattenuated in intensity when the modulator is in a second mode of operation. The scanner is adapted for scanning the undiffracted beam from the modulator across the medium in a substantially straight path at a varying linear speed to produce a track pattern of desired ablated track thereon.

Search report